Two Intel Employees Killed in Kiryat Gat Plant Explosion
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Two Intel employees, Yakir Koshoevili and Ilya Chechulin, both from Be'er Sheva, were killed in an explosion at the company's Kiryat Gat plant. A third employee is in serious condition. Preliminary investigations suggest a technical failure involving a nitrogen trifluoride tank caused the blast. Intel is cooperating with authorities and supporting the victims' families.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yakir Koshoevili and Ilya Chechulin, both from Be'er Sheva, died in an explosion at Intel's Kiryat Gat plant.
- A third employee remains in serious condition at Soroka Medical Center.
- Investigators suspect a technical failure involving a tank of nitrogen trifluoride caused the rare incident.
- Kiryat Gat Police Commander Shai Alali indicated a failure occurred during a material transfer process.
- Intel expressed sorrow, pledged full cooperation with investigators, and offered support to those affected.
Yakir Koshoevili, 35, from Be'er Sheva, has been identified as the first fatality in an explosion at Intel's Kiryat Gat facility. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, is suspected to have been caused by a technical failure involving a "neck explosion" of a tank containing eight tons of nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃). This type of event is considered rare, and it remains unclear if it resulted from wear and tear or could have been prevented.
Koshoevili was remembered by friends, including Noam Bergman and Or Hakshur, who shared heartfelt tributes on a memorial page, recalling his smile and good heart. Hakshur noted Koshoevili's integral role in his beloved neighborhood and the joy he brought to those around him.
Earlier on Thursday, Ilya Chechulin, 49, also from Be'er Sheva, was identified as the second person to die in the blast. A third victim, a man in his twenties and an employee of the company, remains in serious condition, sedated and on a ventilator in the internal intensive care unit at Soroka Medical Center.
The Mayor of Be'er Sheva, Ruvik Danilovich, expressed the city's grief over the tragic deaths of its residents, offering condolences to the families and assuring them of professional support. Kiryat Gat Police Commander Shai Alali stated that while it's too early to determine criminal negligence, the explosion occurred after one truck finished unloading material into tanks and a second truck began connecting, indicating a failure.
Intel issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of their two employees and wishing the injured worker a full recovery. The company affirmed its full cooperation with the investigating authorities and pledged continued support for the affected families and individuals.
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